New Workday Global Research: AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss

Research Reveals 75% of Employees Are Ready to Work with AI, But Not for It Realizing the Full Power of AI Agents Hinges on Transparency and Prioritizing Human Empowerment PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, today released new global research showing that while AI agents are gaining ground in the workplace, employees still want clear boundaries. According to the report "AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss," 75% of workers are comfortable teaming up with AI agents—but only 30% say they are comfortable being managed by one. This signals a key challenge for businesses: how to embrace the power of AI without losing the human touch. The research underscores that while widespread optimism is driving the rapid adoption of AI agents—82% of organizations are expanding their use of agents—employees are clearly drawing a line between how they are and are not willing to work with AI.

"We're entering a new era of work where AI can be an incredible partner, and a complement to human judgement, leadership, and empathy," said Kathy Pham, vice president, AI, Workday. "Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the center of every decision."

Key Findings from the Report

• AI as Co-Pilot, Not Commander: Three out of four employees are highly comfortable with AI agents working alongside them and recommending new skills—but only 30% are comfortable with an AI agent managing them. A mere 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating in the background without human knowledge. Establishing clear boundaries for AI is key to building employee trust and driving greater adoption.
• Exposure to AI Agents Drives Trust: While more than one-quarter of respondents still believe agents are overhyped, trust in agents rises dramatically with increased use. For instance, only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, but that number jumps to 95% among those further along. Direct experience with AI agents builds confidence.
• The Double-Edged Sword of AI Productivity: Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents will help them get more done, but many are also concerned that these productivity gains will lead to increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%). This underscores the need for thoughtful implementation that prioritizes employee well-being.
• Distinct Roles for Agents and Humans: Most see agents as important teammates, but not full members of the workforce. Trust in AI also depends on the task; it's highest for IT support and skills development and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters, underscoring the need for human oversight and accountability.
• Finance Sees Big Potential: With the industry facing a shortage of CPAs and finance professionals, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap and only 12% are worried about job loss. The top uses for AI agents in Finance include forecasting and budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).

The Path Forward

This research underscores a crucial path forward: to harness the potential of AI, organizations must focus on building trust through transparency and empowering their people. This isn't just about deploying new technology. It's about thoughtfully designing a future where AI agents enhance human capabilities, enabling a more productive and fulfilling work experience for all.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee-AI Collaboration

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI agents? A: Seventy-five percent of employees are comfortable teaming up with AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable being managed by AI agents? A: Only thirty percent of employees are comfortable being managed by an AI agent. Q: What are employees' concerns about AI-driven productivity gains? A: Employees are concerned that AI productivity gains could lead to increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%).

AI Trust and Adoption

Q: What percentage of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents? A: Eighty-two percent of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents. Q: How does employee trust in AI agents change with increased exposure? A: Trust in AI agents increases dramatically with increased use. Only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, but this number jumps to 95% among those further along, indicating that direct experience builds confidence. Q: Are employees comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge? A: A mere 24% of employees are comfortable with AI agents operating in the background without human knowledge, highlighting the need for transparency.

Role of AI Agents in the Workplace

Q: How do employees view the role of AI agents in the workforce? A: Most employees see AI agents as important teammates but not full members of the workforce. Q: In which areas is trust in AI agents highest and lowest? A: Trust in AI agents is highest for IT support and skills development, and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters, indicating a preference for human oversight in critical functions.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The Workday research highlights a critical juncture in AI adoption: the need for a human-centric approach. As AI agents become more sophisticated and integrated into workflows, striking the right balance between automation and human augmentation is paramount. This mirrors the challenges and opportunities within the cryptocurrency space, where AI is increasingly being used for market analysis, trading strategy development, and risk management. Just as employees desire transparency and control when working with AI agents, investors in the crypto market seek reliable, transparent tools that enhance, rather than dictate, their investment decisions. Our platform at Crypto Market AI focuses on providing AI-driven insights and tools, such as AI-powered crypto trading bots, designed to assist traders by providing actionable intelligence and automating certain processes, while always emphasizing the importance of informed human oversight.

More to Read:

• Explore how AI is transforming other industries in our article on AI in Finance.
• Understand the evolving landscape of AI tools with our guide on AI Agents.

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Source: Workday Investor Relations on August 12, 2025